NBA: 15 pleasant surprise players having career seasons in 2017-18

Through the first two months of the 2017-18 NBA season, here are 15 players whose breakout years have been pleasant surprises.

With the start of any new NBA season, preseason expectations and predictions are quickly thrown out the window once early surprises — both good and bad — alter our preconceived notions of how the year will unfold.

From breakout seasons to injury woes to unexpected chemistry, there are always a few surprise teams and players that make the season even more enjoyable.

We’re only two months into the 2017-18 campaign, but already we’ve seen several young players — and even a few established veterans — submitting pleasantly surprising, career-best or breakout years.

Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kristaps Porzingis bursting onto the scene was to be expected, but what about the guys who faced lowered expectations or are thriving in new environments? How about the young players making unexpected leaps and the players we had given up on that are finally reaching their potential?

We’ve still got a lot of regular season left, but here’s a look at 15 pleasant surprise players enjoying career years so far in 2017-18.

Honorable Mentions:  Enes Kanter, Taj Gibson, T.J. Warren, Jonathon Simmons, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tim Hardaway Jr., Doug McDermott, Darius Miller